New criminal law to protect legislators with mansions and yachts -deputy

A DRAFT law reducing the amount of time in which criminal proceedings can be launched in cases of unjustified enrichment and embezzlement was passed by Panama’s National Assembly on Thursday,April 25.

 Panameñista Deputy José Isabel Blandón said that there is no justification to add greater limits to criminal proceedings in cases of embezzlement and unjustified enrichment of officials.
"The deputies proposed this project because they fear the consequences of their actions, there is no other reason," he said. "They want to shield themselves."
He said that a member or minister is accountable because they cannot justify having mansions, yachts and helicopters on salaries of $7,000 a month.
"They must be accountable and justify their spending," he said.
Minutes before the approval, the official party caucus refused to return the bill to second debate despite the fact that the proposal came from CD Alternate Deputy Jackeline Muñoz.
Before the vote, the alternate member, who is the daughter of pro-government Deputy José Muñoz said that "we are not in favor of the changes because they have not gone through a first debate. We cannot go against our people."
CD deputies Rogelio Baruco, and Sergio Gálvez, who is also the president of the Assembly, and other members proposed to omit the reading of the project and proceed directly to approval.
CD members Noriel Salarno and Ernesto Villarreal joined Jackeline Muñoz in abstaining.